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My Leica was having problems with advancing the film. This was an unintentional double exposure. The rewind knob would get really tight so if I tried to advance the film would slip and not advance correctly. Finally got fed up and took the rewind knob off, there were 5 washers on it. One of them was dented a little, so I thought it was that one. Left 4 on and tried advancing again, but it still got stuck. Ended up only leaving two on (a smaller one and one larger one). Works perfectly now.

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But I miss shooting, I've slowed down too much recently.

On a random note, I'm loving Haligh, Haligh, A Lie, Haligh by Bright Eyes.

I shot a roll of Ektachrome with a Canonet. Pushed it one stop and cross processed it, not really happy with how it came out, but a few shots were ok.

I'm also tired of making street shots at school, it bores me to death.

This was at karaoke a few weeks back...

During a crit at school. No bad comments for this class.

There is a cat in my sink.

Should be self-explanatory:

At school, again, boring.

I organized, hung, and exhibited in a gallery at school. The theme of the exhibition was Home. This is when the lighting was being changed.

No one was hurt, thankfully. :P

Then, this was in Montrose.

I'm in both (^ that one) and the one below. My mom's the one behind me.

The restaurant had a nice feel to it. Lot of older people, but older people are the ones whose faces tell stories, so it's all good.

The sculpture thing was neat. Wish the lighting was better, but I still enjoy this shot.

School. is so boring. I guess this is about a palm tree? Can't exactly escape them in so cal..

Dishes, primarily coffee mugs.

I shot this because I was already getting bored and wanted to shoot something. It was f/1.4 at 1/1000th. I knew the negative would be dense, but I doubt it's worth it to try and print it.

The light leaked over into the next frame:

And, that's all. I'm almost finished with this roll in my camera.

But I'm still here, spending way too many hours on campus.

San Fernando.

Teddy.

Had his balls taken away that day.

Second time going to the annnenberg space for photography.

This time I was further back.

Dan Winters was the lecturer. It surprised me when he started off by showing his early work, which consisted of his version of street photography. The work was very interesting even though it could be argued that it's not street in the traditional sense. Interesting that he started off doing that.

Him and his photo of Obama.

Excuse the scratch.

Book signing.

Outside. Besides one kid (he was probably 6? 7?) I think my friend and I were the youngest people there.

Century City has this almost hospital like sanitary feel.

Went to Venice again. Found some ducks.

Not exactly chronological, since I rewound one roll, switched Trix+3 for Plus-x.

Annenberg again. Memory is disjointed anyway, right?

Venice.

More bikers.

Coca-cola can offering.

That'll be enough for now. I hope you enjoyed looking at them, thanks for viewing. :)

I find it hard to comment on these..

I've been intrigued by window light like this.

Switched to Portra 160 NC.

At Dana Point Harbor.

Shop had a very cozy feel to it, compared to the rest I saw, at least.

Sort of disappointed in the water spots on it, too lazy to get rid of them.

My brother. I don't think it's possible for me to hold my camera perfectly straight.

Skimming.

This is what happens when you're not watching the waves. :p

I had to hop backwards after that or I would have gotten wet too.

I don't have many words for these. I do know I'd like to shoot more beaches, though. Bruce Gilden's Coney Island work is inspiring enough. I think I'd rather shoot in color though.

Yea, I missed the focus, so what.

Probably the shot I'm most happy with from this roll.

My sister used my Holga that day. The roll came out quite well. Really need a scanner capable of scanning medium format.

Later that day I finished the roll at my Uncle's house. Newly moved in. They've got a nice view of the sunset from their backyard. There's also a family of young hawks. They didn't come out until after I finished the roll, though.

Finishing the roll I started (from the beginning of the post)

Think I nailed the exposure here.

Wide eyes.

Waiting.

He just sat there.

At the optometrist.

My eyes are terrible and when I go I have to take my contacts out. Last time and this one I ventured to take a couple shots practically blind and they came out just fine.

She wanted to try on green colored contacts.

I went and saw a lecture by Steve McCurry here.

There was a guy in the front row I saw shooting with an M8 (whose shutter sounded significantly different than I expected) but other than that everyone else was shooting huge dslr's.

At the book signing afterwards. I would have bought a book of his, but I'm broke so I didn't. Also, they were charging far more than what you can get them for on amazon. One guy came prepared with 3 books.

The lady that took this had never used a Leica before and didn't realize I was using film until after she shot it. She was really concerned, "so I can't check to see if it turned out well?" I prefocused for her and set the exposure so all she had to do was hit the shutter. I reassured her that I was positive it would come out.

I also had Steve McCurry sign my Leica, since I had nothing else of significance for him to sign. He did ask me after, "is this film or digital?"

My brother saw me take that one and he said "are you sure that's going to come out?" Exposure time was 1/4s at f/1.4. I told him, "I'm positive."

My cat is weird.

Over in Panorama City..

and then in Burbank

Elevator.

then Hollywood & Highland

Spent a Friday night at a friend's apartment.

Didn't shoot much..

My sister's birthday was little over a week ago.

The sky was cool. Clouds move fast.

This subway station looked like a giant bathroom.

Taco Bell establishment turned Thai BBQ.

Thailand, in LA!

Not sure what these were, but I think they were worthy of a shot. Didn't come out how I would have liked though..

This was quite a confusing encounter.

Could have (should have?) gotten closer.

Rubik's cube.

That's all.

So, hey, if you read this and want a print of something shoot me an email, we'll work something out! I also have a recently opened etsy shop at rickyribe.etsy.com. Check it out!

On with the photos.

I learned to paint earlier the day this was shot. Well, I suppose I could paint before that day, but that day I began to learn to see colors and how to mix paint to match those colors. Shooting solely black and white film really makes the colors disappear. Quite an eye opening experience.

Also we had barbecued peaches.

I passed MJ's star on the way to the knitting factory. I really don't understand the obsession but I felt obligated to make a photo of the continuing fandom.

I'm not sure I like this.

Hip shot, thought the situation was funny.

Finally at the show. This guy called himself Blue. He was ok. There was also a huge hole in his guitar.

This is The Dangerous Summer. Had never heard of them prior to the show, but their live performance impressed me. Even more was the unusual fact that the bassist is the lead singer, pretty cool.

Here's another. Notice the difference between the two (the guitarist on the right in this one is covering the light in the hallway in the back).

I probably should have dared and focused on the girl in the foreground instead.

Setting up for The Gay Blades.

The absolute happiest drummer I have ever seen.

Notice how the light in the back hallway has been turned off? Yea, you can thank Clark for telling someone to turn it off.

They were amazing.

Reach out!

I'm not sure I could handle covering shows if I had to shoot digital. I'd end up with way too many shots.

This pose.

Look at him! He's so happy! I love it.

Oh, I should also mention that for only being two guys, they were pretty damn loud.

There were two other bands after The Gay Blades, but they weren't very good.

Thanks for viewing this.

Graduation time at my college. I didn't attend any of the actual ceremonies, but was on campus when everything was being set up.

Random self portrait using my boa's cage. Came out interesting, was simply curious what it'd look like.

My mural on my wall.

My cousin was in her school's dance team, which had a performance at my college. They had a mini red carpet thing outside the doors to the theater, with members of the dance team parodying crazed fan girls. I think I was the only one that made a photo of them. Love the expressions (and the eye contact).

At Union Station. We were going to try and see this exhibit thing for a film my Mom's friend worked on. The wait was way too long...

...so we had lunch at Olvera St. instead (after spending close to an hour trying to find parking).

In a backyard.

Her backyard:

Frontyard

Found myself at a lovely house with lovely people.

Made my summicron flair.

Spilt candle.

Doorway.

And, now, Day of Decision coverage. (Day CA supreme court ruled to uphold prop 8, stating marriage is only between a man and a woman... for anyone that doesn't/didn't know). People met up in west hollywood earlier in the day. They then marched from weho to hollywood and highland. I made the decision to go too late and I didn't want to try and find parking over in weho so I just took the subway to hollywood and highland, which is where I was assuming a lot of "action" would be.

I took a stroll down highland because I was early, still.

Every corner had at least 3 cop cars at it. This is the first I encountered. Were at least 10 cops in a lil meeting.

Smiling protesters.

Zombie protesters?

I guess I'll just post everything. To show that I'm not perfect and I make mistakes and yea..

Damn tv cameras and their little headlights messin' up my exposure.

This is Sister Unity. Makeup looks infinitely better in color and in person.

Some more sisters.

Her name is Sister Mary Fucking Poppins.

Horsies! (and a dinosaur, and mcdonalds..)

Hey, it reads correctly this time around.

I'm not sure I understand the pose. Is it supposed to be more intimidating when you hold your belt?

Sister's passed out "weapons of free speech" (chalk).

I want this frame mural sized.

I quite enjoy this frame.

The marchers arrive! (again, stupid tv cameras overexposing the person's face. :|)

Attached to a shopping cart were speakers. She was leading a chant: "I said what do we want? Equal rights! When do we want it? Now!"

Never heard her stop. I applaud her stamina.

Lt. Dan Choi. I was too busy trying to frame the lady holding up her hands in the shape of a heart to pay attention to what part of Dan Choi I captured. Would have preferred to see more of his face, but oh well. Live and learn..

That's quite a bit of people.

Ran down to the street again once I saw that people were beginning to move.

I marched with them for a little, just so I can say I was part of the actual march. But I turned around after a little bit so I could catch the subway home.

Buying my ticket I discovered that the terminals are powered by Windows 2000.

Here you can see my ridiculous hair (grows way too fast).

At the grove. Inspired by a HCB shot. I'll just flat out say my rendition sucks and I'll have to try again.

With a lovely lady.

Talking animatedly about... (I'll give you a quarter if you guess correctly).

Empty street.

Farmer's market. I keep surprising myself when people don't notice I've taken their photo.

This lady did look at me, but she looked away a moment later. (the fiber print of this frame looks infinitely better, i underexposed the shot by like 3 stops, but was able to print it well, scan just sucks).

Hip shot that's terrible. She transfixed me but I was a coward and didn't do her justice.

In step.

My cousin was here from Sacramento for like <1 hour.

Replacing the switch in the bathroom. It sparked a couple times because my mom didn't turn off the power.

Photos of black cats don't work! At least, somewhat candid, non-posed or lit shots don't. I still take them. =/

When there's a ladder out, he loves to sit atop it.

He somehow managed to get up inside the closet.

Candlelight.

Oh, hey, it's Brian Aubert (of the Silversun Pickups).

Ran into him at a listening party for the release of Sonic Youth's new album (which is amazing, btw). Coincidentally, I was listening to them when I drove there. There being Origami Vinyl in Echo Park.

I took this at f/1.4. It's horribly overexposed, but I was able to recover it in PS as well as make a very nice print of it.

I took one at a smaller aperture once I realized my mistake, but I like the first one I took much more.

Then I had a picture taken with him.

Found my first dead bird on the street. I've seen them in many other people's photo blogs but never encountered one myself, until now.

Overgrown squash plants.

Teddy and Scamper.

We (well, my mom per my suggestion) made tofu lasagna. The tofu was pressed (to get rid of water) then marinated in spaghetti sauce. It was delicious.

The tofu's under all that, I swear. :p

This wasn't when I showed her Dustin Lance Black's naughty pictures, but let's just say it is.

I honestly have no clue why I took this frame.

I thought this was hilarious. The text on the back of the van says, "Esteban! Thanks God 4 Ur Graduation!"

Thought the light was cool.

Sunset. Really underexposed it (with regards to what I wanted it to look like) but I like the look of this.

Her eye was red, so she was inspecting it. I'll leave it at that.

Scamper!

And I got a haircut. This time really short.

Attempted to split my reflection up. Didn't quite work.

I should stop taking self portraits.

Sheku (art store guy in love with my leica) took this.

And, Sheku himself:

This cafe had a nice feel to it.

(and the caramel macchiato I bought was perfect)

Oh. MJ died.

Cops are assholes.

On the way to the lovely house to spend time with lovely people again I encountered a Delorean.

Even had its own flux capacitor.

Party was for her 18th birthday. She's, uh, actually not in this shot.

Sister took this one. I think she said she wanted to focus on the two in the back.

Chillaxin

Parasol

Wine and nice conversation.

Asparagus doused in olive oil and sprinkled with lemon.

It was amazing.

Birdy.

Table.

Preparing a platter full of treats (including chocolate éclairs to die for).

The award for best dressed goes to...

Outside.

I may or may not have an obsession with taking pictures of people while they're eating.

Beer pong without the beer and with raspberries and blackberries instead.

Inspecting our present.

It's a bunny.

(the bunny was not harmed)

Mother and daughter.

Last self I promise!

We ended up in the kitchen and began digging into this grapefruit ice thing. It was so good.

Ok, I lied.

Shit on my car's windshield.

Probably would have looked infinitely better in color. I did take almost 2 rolls of color film at the place where I was heading (college of the canyons).

Olvera street again.

An old fire station.

My shoes.

Really wish I hadn't underexposed this one :(

Food was delicious.

Her eyes were striking.

Unused space.

I really don't like how HP5 scans. I know I can print all of the above (olvera st. shots) just fine, but the scans look horrible. =/

Had to do it...

Unintended, but I like it.

And, I'll end this (think this is my longest post to date [149 photos]) with the first portrait I've taken of someone in a subway that I'm ok with.

Good night.

Surprised this one was in focus.

Burned the rest of the roll at home.

Two spiders.

Crazy flare.

Oh hey, clouds.

Now Tri-x. Project for an art class, had to create an album cover. Also featured is the canonet and an article about Sonic Youth with Thurston making a face (including hands with eyes) quite similar to that of the pale man from Pan's Labyrinth.

For the same art class we had to create a sign and put it up somewhere on campus.

We got puppies. (more to come later)

But first, I went to the griffith observatory because I hadn't been since it reopened.

Not very interesting, unfortunately:

I thought I missed him. A second later he was off the floor.

Zeiss telescope!

Ok, more puppies.

He hops when he runs.

They both enjoy laying down at our feet.

Oh, I also got a gecko. Mom's co-worker couldn't take care of it anymore and I said I would. He's cool.

Hello, there!

Printed this one on fiber, but not entirely happy with the print.

My messy desk (featuring sleeping gecko).

I watched Grizzly Man. After seeing Encounters at the End of the World I wanted to see more by Mr. Herzog and this one seemed like a good choice. Turns out it was, a very well done documentary on a fascinating person.

Joys of living in southern california?

My grandmother in the house she raised her children in. I underexposed it because I'm stupid.

Must be something to revisit the house you grew up in, or raised your children in..

Back home.

I thought taking another photography class would help further and advance my photography, but it seems like it's stunted it instead.

The majority of what I've shot this year, thus far, has been extremely personal. Or, in other words, probably wouldn't hold much meaning for anyone but me and a small select group of people.

Maybe when I'm dead all these unposted photos, the ones I don't share, will be uncovered and viewed. Or maybe they'll be lost forever and no one will ever see them. Who knows.

For an art class called 2D design. My sundays are usually spent working on the next project, which, although the semester is almost halfway over, always includes cutting and pasting. Just like in kindergarten.

Trying out a double exposure for the second time. This time I managed to rewind the film the correct amount so that the frames overlap correctly BUT I completely forgot that there was no way I was going to be able to line the camera back up where it was for the first shot. Next time I'll have to remind myself to use a tripod. Or something. Or not do double exposures. Think that might be the better path.

I went to Venice (Beach, wish I meant Italy, though) and found this street performer who stands in glass. He called the lady on the left Japan.

The expressions of the people watching make this for me.

People sleeping, during the day, outside, near the ocean. I feel like I should feel bad for what is probably a homeless person, but I'm not. Instead, I'm jealous. Would it not be nice to be free of the majority of our worries?

There were statues of dogs along this house. And then this dog. And my shadow somehow found its way into the frame as well.

I'll avoid any phallic joke about trees growing out of places.

I think there's something wrong with my Leica, not sure what's going on on the far right of the frame here, and I've seen the same on several other frames.